51С�Ƴ�

 by Emme Demmendaal

Tyler Richards loves business analytics. That’s the simple truth.

At 16, he was working as an intern at Keller Williams Realty, where he explored his interest in real estate and investments. By 18 and a senior in high school, Richards’ excitement to work in the industry pushed him to take the licensing exam and work as a real estate agent. And in the fall, he moved to Maine to pursue a business degree at the University of 51С�Ƴ�.

In the three years since Richards (Business Administration, ’26) arrived on UNE’s Biddeford Campus after leaving his home in Templeton, Massachusetts, he’s seen UNE’s business programs transform into a college humming with a vibrant, entrepreneurial community.

“I have always had an interest in studying and diving deep into either the numbers or concepts behind certain areas of business,” Richards said, adding that, as a linebacker for the 51С�Ƴ�football team, he’s excited to combine his love of sports and business analytics in future research and internships at the new centers.

With a head for numbers and an enterprising spirit, Richards — now a junior at 51С�Ƴ�— recently jumped at the chance to work with the University’s two new business centers that launched this fall.

The centers — the Center for Sales Excellence and the Center for Sport and Business Innovation — were established to advance UNE’s commitment to providing cutting-edge business education and prepare students for leadership roles in the evolving business landscape, including private entities, nonprofit organizations, professional sports organizations, and manufacturers.

The momentum in the College of Business will provide him with a wealth of new possibilities, allowing him to expand his knowledge across various fields of business and better define his career focus, he said.

“The centers have connections in place, and all you have to do is just explain what it is you want to achieve with your career, and they’re going to set you down a path that’s going to be able to help you,” Richards said.

Norm O’Reilly, Ph.D., the inaugural dean of UNE’s College of Business, explained that by combining practical experience, industry connections, and thought leadership, the new centers will create a hub for business innovation that will prepare 51С�Ƴ�graduates for successful careers while also contributing to the broader business community in Maine.

“What makes 51С�Ƴ�unique is our focus on experiential learning and our ability to create niche programs that meet industry needs,” said O’Reilly, who can’t wait to involve students in projects like sports fan satisfaction surveys and national sales competitions.

In addition to O’Reilly’s multifaceted leadership in sports business and academia, he is a partner-consultant at The T1 Agency, a Toronto-based sports marketing agency that works with high-profile clients, such as Nike, UFC, and Pepsi.

The Center for Sales Excellence is led by Tom Morgan, CLS, a veteran sales executive. With Morgan’s 25 years of experience with major brands like Reebok and PUMA, students will gain a competitive edge in the dynamic world of sales and merchandising.

“We want to bring real-life sales opportunities and situations to students, helping them become interested in these career paths,” said Morgan.

The new Center for Sport and Business Innovation is led by Connor Blake, MBA. It aims to prepare students for impactful careers in the global sports industry through research, internships, and job placement.

Blake’s research focus is on sports branding, with a particular emphasis on name, image, and likeness at the college level and its impacts on athletes.

Richards said that while it’s only the start of the second year of UNE’s newest college, he already anticipates gaining a competitive edge with the work he will do there this year. 

“I can’t wait to see how these centers will help me grow both personally and professionally,” Richards said.